When siblings Jennifer and Scott Hanson attended Palm Desert High School together, they never imagined they would wind up at the same university as well.

Jennifer and Scott of Palm Desert are students at Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus studying to become nurses, and both are receiving a full-ride scholarship through the campus’s University Legacy Scholarship program.

The University Legacy Scholarship provides an opportunity for outstanding graduating high school seniors attending high schools in the Coachella Valley to compete for an academic scholarship to attend the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. The University Legacy Scholarship awards up to $7,000 per year (currently the cost of tuition and standard fees, net of financial aid) for four academic years, leading to a baccalaureate degree.

Jennifer, a junior at the university, said she chose to attend PDC because of the nursing program. “I went to a student info session while still in high school and got to tour their lab. Learning about what the nursing students experienced both in the classroom and in the hospital setting amazed me and really convinced me to apply,” she said. “They even showed us all the electronic mannequins that they practice their skills on!”

Scott, a freshman, had similar reasons for choosing PDC. “My college counselor at Palm Desert High School informed me about all the benefits of staying local for college and I was instantly convinced,” he said. “The fact that an amazing education and nursing program is only five minutes away from my home is unbeatable. Though I have not attended any in-person classes yet because the university is closed for in-person classes due to COVID-19, I have been enjoying virtually meeting and bonding with my professors and classmates. Once the campus reopens, I am excited to finally meet all my classmates and experience the campus in person.”

“I am extremely grateful to have been selected as a University Legacy Scholar,” said Jennifer. “I feel supported by my community and want to give back once I graduate and get my degree. I hope that one day I will be able to do for someone what the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus has done for me.”

“Being selected as a University Legacy Scholar means that all of my prior academic efforts have paid off,” said Scott. “Since the Palm Desert Campus was generous enough to entrust me with this scholarship, it motivates me to work my hardest in order to be deserving of it.”

Jennifer and Scott say they are enjoying the experience of attending college together.

“I love that my brother is attending the same school as me,” said Jennifer. “Going to the same college allows us to spend more time with each other and our family. Additionally, I’m glad that I’m able to give him some tips about the classes I’ve already taken.”

“Having Jennifer also attend PDC as a University Legacy Scholar is a proud achievement for the both of us,” said Scott. “Being the first siblings to receive University Legacy Scholarships tells us that our futures are just getting started thanks to PDC. Additionally, having an experienced PDC student as my sister is a breath of fresh air. I had lots of questions while transitioning into my first year of college, and Jennifer was there to answer them.”

Upon graduating, the Hanson siblings plan to become nurses at a hospital in the Coachella Valley.

“Once I graduate, I plan to take a few months to study for the National Council Licensure Exam for Nursing,” said Jennifer. “Once I pass the exam, I plan to apply for a grad program at a hospital so I get more experience before becoming a fully independent nurse. Once the program is complete, I hope to start working at a local hospital.”

Scott’s plans are similar. “After graduating, I hope to take my skills to a local hospital and work there full-time, and who knows, maybe Jennifer and I will end up working at the same hospital as well!”

For more information about the University Legacy Scholarship program at the Palm Desert Campus, visit its website.

The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a doctorate in educational leadership, and teaching credentials and certificates. With more than 1,600 students, it is the Coachella Valley’s four-year public university and plays a vital role in educating and training the region’s growing population.

For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the Office of Strategic Communication at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the campus website at www.csusb.edu/pdc.